Search - Muppet Five Pack with Tin (Amazon.com Exclusive) on DVD

Great family entertainment

Dave | Portland | 10/01/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This price has me wishing I didn't already own these; I paid $120+ for all but one of these which I got as a gift. It would cost about $140 to buy these individually.

With two small kids I've been able to watch all of these and it's probably some of the easier "kids" shows for adults to watch and I think that's important. It's hard to find shows that a family can watch together and have everyone really enjoy it. There's always plenty of wry humor that goes right over the kids heads that will crack up adults, and kids just love the Muppets. Here's a few observations I have:

* Muppet Treasure Island:
My kids like it and it's the most recent with has the best production values of the set. This is my least favorite, but still watchable by adults. It is directed by Brian Henson (Jim Henson's son). The movie somewhat accurately covers the plot and characters of the book. Tim Curry has a good time overacting in his role of "Long John Silver." Plenty of slapstick and songs to keep your kids entertained. Amazon is including the special edition which has both the Full and wide-screen version of the movie - if you happen to own the original release it was Full Screen only (which chopped out a lot in the song-and-dance numbers).

For a "Special Edition" it's light on the bonus features: "The Tale of the Story Beyond the Tail" (behind-the-scenes feature), a "Treasure Island Sing-Along" and commentary with Brian Henson.

* The Muppet Movie:
The original Muppet Movie is still pretty fun to watch. This one is a better transfer than the old Tri-Star release. The production values are only a tad bit better than the show but the humor and music are a lot of fun. Lots of cameos. There is a myth that a scene was edited in the Disney release, but it's just that there is some extra dialog on the sound track (for a song sung by Kermit and Rolf) that was never in the movie.

Only one bonus feature: "Pepe Profiles Presents - Kermit: A Frog's Life." but it's a pretty good one. Pepe Le Prawn hosting a Kermit bio.

* The Muppet Show Season One: Special Edition:
The humor is great, some of the songs are pretty bad. Still a great season. The guest we all big in the 1970s but you won't recognize half of them. Some songs were edited out, but unless you are a hard core fan you won't care (my life is still compete without "Gone With The Wind" by Jim Nabors). The transfer is good though the production values on the series were never great. Most importantly: kids and adults both have plenty to laugh at.
Guest: Juliet Prowse, Connie Stevens and cameo by Bert & Ernie, Joel Grey, Ruth Buzzi, Rita Moreno, Jim Nabors, Florence Henderson, Paul Williams, Charles Aznavour, Harvey Korman, Lena Horne, Peter Ustinov, Bruce Forsythe, Sandy Duncan, Candice Bergen, Avery Schreiber, Ben Vereen, Phyllis Diller, Vincent Price, Valerie Harper, Twiggy, Ethel Merman, Kaye Ballard and Mummenschanz.

Bonus Features: Season one pilot "Sex and Violence!", The original pitch reel of the show, "Muppet morsels" viewing mode with fun pop-up facts about the Muppets, and a Promo gag reel.

* The Muppet Show Season Two: Special Edition:
My favorite season, I think the writing is spot on and with the success of the first season came bigger name guests:
Don Knotts, Zero Mostel, Milton Berle, Rich Little, Judy Collins, Nancy Walker, Edgar Bergen, Steve Martin, Madeline Kahn, George Burns, Dom DeLuise, Bernadette Peters, Rudolf Nureyev, Elton John, Lou Rawls, Cleo Laine, Julie Andrews, Jaye P. Morgan, Peter Sellers, Petula Clark, Bob Hope, Teresa Brewer, John Cleese, and Cloris Leachman.

Bonus Features: "The Muppets Valentine Special" (aired the year before the 1st series), "The Muppets on the Muppets" (new and old muppetts interview each other), Weezer & The Muppets "Keep Fishin" (the band goes up against Animal, Kermit and Miss Piggy).

* The Muppet Show: The Complete Third Season:
Almost as good as season two in my book. The writing is still strong and there are some decent guests:
Kris Kristofferson & Rita Coolidge, Leo Sayer, Roy Clark, Gilda Radner, Pearl Bailey, Jean Stapleton, Alice Cooper, Loretta Lynn, Liberace, Marisa Berenson, Raquel Welch, James Coco, Helen Reddy, Harry Belafonte, Lesley Ann Warren, Danny Kaye, Spike Milligan, Leslie Uggams, Elke Sommer, Sylvester Stallone, Roger Miller, Roy Rogers & Dale Evans, Lynn Redgrave, Cheryl Ladd.

Bonus features: "The Muppets on Puppets" (original PBS documentary featuring Jim Henson), "A Company of Players" (featurette on the puppeteers who operate the Muppets), "The Making of the Muppets" an all-new documentary, and the original Muppet commercials.

Overall this set is a good value. Still, this is for the Muppet fan. There is a lot of material here and even with the discount you had better really want to sit down and watch a lot of TV. If you are a fan, or just want to watch something better than what your kids are currently subjecting you, this is a great price for some of the best family programming in the history of television.
"

Muppet Mania

Bennet Pomerantz | Seabrook, Maryland | 10/02/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you are a muppet, fan this five pack is a treasure in itself

The first three seasons of the classic Muppet show (complete and uncut) is worth the price alone. Then add the original Muppet movie with guest stars from Mel Brooks, Bob Hope, Steve Martin, Orson Welles, Milton Berle, Richard Pryor and Edgar Bergan (and his friend Charlie McCarthy) to cameos by Big Bord and some of the Sesame Street Muppets...then add Muppet Treasure Island with Tim Curry joining the muppets doing a Muppet version of this classic story...Pure joy for all ages

Many talk about there is NOTHING they can watch with their families. Some remark that Disney is gone from a family value realm to cheezy entertainment (if you seen old dogs or Bedtime Stories, you may agree) If you dont get it, you will miss the family time this set will bring for those 4 to 88. Picture the whole family laughing together..it is something I would not miss.

The Muppets are timeless and so is this collection.

Bennet Pomerantz
AUDIOWORLD"